Windows shattered at Herald-Leader building; suspected bullet damage found https://t.co/DLgQQsXTSt pic.twitter.com/dSi7aBpnOz
— heraldleader (@heraldleader) May 29, 2017
Lexington police are investigating vandalism at the Lexington Herald-Leader newspaper office, where several windows were broken or shattered Sunday.
There were signs of small-caliber bullet damage, according to an article in the Herald-Leader.
The vandalization occurred at a time in which the press has become a frequent verbal target in Washington.
Publisher Rufus M. Friday said the Herald-Leader is taking immediate steps to increase security.
“The safety and security of our employees is paramount,” he said.
He said the incident is “concerning” in light of the rhetoric directed at journalists recently.
“We’re going to be vigilant and continue to do what we do,” Friday said. “We’re not going to be deterred by this senseless act of vandalism.”
On Monday, President Trump posted a tweet disparaging the “Fake News Media,” a day after declaring “#FakeNews is the enemy.”
Both during his presidential campaign and since his inauguration, Trump has frequently called the media dishonest, singled out reporters and disparaged news organizations, an issue Friday pointed to following the incident. “It’s concerning,” he said.
According to the Herald-Leader, police were investigating the incident as “criminal mischief.”
The Fake News Media works hard at disparaging & demeaning my use of social media because they don't want America to hear the real story!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2017
....it is very possible that those sources don't exist but are made up by fake news writers. #FakeNews is the enemy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 28, 2017